Good Summary of Francis: He Dared to Say It

This week he [Pope Francis] had words on homosexuality, and they made big news. In part this was surprising and in part not. What the pope told reporters was nothing Catholics wouldn’t say and haven’t said in common conversation. [Blogger: It's obviously different when the Pope says it, instead of just you or me.] Asked about his views on priests who are homosexual and celibate, Francis responded, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

He made it clear priests must do the true work of priests—helping people. But as to what is in a human heart, who is to judge? A modern pope hadn’t said anything quite like that in public, which is why it was news. It has been called tolerant, but it wasn’t tolerant—it was loving, which is what a Christian should be. Church teaching is church teaching, doctrine is doctrine, they’re often complex and requiring of assertion and explanation. But when a pope speaks plainly the kind of actually humble thought Catholics actually hold in their hearts it can be powerful. And this was. Good.

The above is an obvious analysis. There was no need for anyone to huff and puff and man the barricades. Relax. Jesus always wins, whether we are ready or not. Our individual readiness or comfortable parameters don't matter.